✨ Should I Apply for CNPq Senior Internship Abroad (Bolsa de Estágio Sênior no Exterior – ESN)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Varies from $1,300 to $3,500 USD/EUR per month depending on destination and seniority level
🗓
Deadline
Annual cycles usually occurring in March and September (Check current call for proposals)
🔬
Fields
All academic fields including STEM, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Health
🏆
Awards/Year
Varies based on the federal budget allocation for the specific year
🏛️
Provider
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)
📊
Acceptance
Varies by field and annual budget
The CNPq Senior Internship Abroad (ESN) scholarship is designed to allow experienced researchers from Brazilian institutions to spend a period in high-level international centers. The goal is to promote internationalization, foster collaborative research networks, and bring new technologies and knowledge back to the Brazilian scientific ecosystem.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to experienced Brazilian researchers with a doctorate (8+ years) and a stable professional position in a local institution to conduct high-level research abroad.
🏛️ Host University
Any recognized international research institution or university worldwide
🤝 Sponsor
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) of Brazil
🔬 Fields of Study
All academic fields including STEM, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Health
✨ Key Benefits
Comprehensive grant covering monthly living costs, international airfare, health insurance, and an initial installation payment to assist with relocation.
🎯 Target Students
Senior academic researchers and university professors
🏷 Tags
Brazil
Senior Research
Postdoc
International Grant
CNPq
Sabbatical
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Not applicable (Research-based grant)
Living Stipend
Yes, monthly payments adjusted to the cost of living in the destination country
Total Award
Varies from $1,300 to $3,500
✈️ Travel: Yes, includes international round-trip airfare
🏠 Accommodation: No separate payment, covered by installation aid and monthly stipend
💊 Health Insurance: Yes, provided through a monthly health insurance allowance
🔄 Renewable: No
💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Not applicable (Research-based grant)
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes, monthly payments adjusted to the cost of living in the destination country
🏡 Accommodation
No separate payment, covered by installation aid and monthly stipend
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes, includes international round-trip airfare
💊 Health Insurance
Yes, provided through a monthly health insurance allowance
🎁 Other Benefits
Installation aid, dependent aid (in specific cases), and bench fees if approved
📋 Renewal Conditions
Not applicable; extensions are rarely granted and require exceptional justification
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Must have a PhD for at least 8 years; must be a Brazilian citizen or permanent resident; must have a permanent link to a Brazilian research institution; must have an updated Lattes CV.
🎓 Academic Level
Postdoctoral / Senior Researcher / Professor
📊 Minimum GPA
N/A (Selection is based on research impact and Lattes CV history)
🗣️ English Requirement
Proficiency in the language of the host country or English is required; proof may be requested by the host institution.
🎂 Age Limit
No specific age limit
💼 Work Experience
Minimum 8 years of research and teaching experience post-doctorate
🏆 Leadership
Expected to demonstrate leadership in their specific field of knowledge
🎯 Target Students
Senior academic researchers and university professors
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
No, but requires a comprehensive Research Project and Work Plan
Rec Letters
Yes, a formal Letter of Acceptance from the host institution is mandatory
Interview
No, selection is typically based on peer review of the documentation
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Yes, a formal Letter of Acceptance from the host institution is mandatory Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Proficiency in the language of the host country or English is required; proof may be requested by the host institution.
- Interview: No, selection is typically based on peer review of the documentation
- Min GPA: N/A (Selection is based on research impact and Lattes CV history)
📋 Application Process
Ensure your Lattes Curriculum is meticulously updated as it is the primary evaluation tool. The research project must clearly state the benefits to the Brazilian scientific community.
💡 Insider Tip: Choose a host institution with a high international ranking and a supervisor with a strong publication record to increase success probability.